New York in July

By Sarah Harris

New York really comes alive in the summertime. With interesting activities and exciting events cropping up all over the city, you’ll find many reasons to love the area this time of the year. Whether you’re looking for fun ideas for Independence Day, or something a little more off the beaten track, we’ve got you covered. So, if you’re planning a great summer vacation, make sure to check out some of our best things to do in New York during the month of July.

Get Festive

Travelling on Independence Day? You might want to consider checking out Macy’s July Fireworks Spectacular. Attracting a large crowd and broadcast live on NBC, the department store’s legendary display is noted as the largest in the country. Each year, thousands of fireworks shoot from four barges on the East River, granting mesmerizing views of the city skyline as you’ve never seen it before. As if that wasn’t enough, the event also features powerful performances from some of your favorite musical megastars. As exciting as it is magical, you won’t want to miss this one.

If you’re looking to view the brilliant display in comfort and style, you might want to think about booking an evening cruise. While sailing across the Hudson River, guests can enjoy the light summer breeze, a delicious sea-food centric dinner and unbeatable views of famous landmarks. In addition, the cruise offers a live DJ playing your favorite party hits and all-you-can-drink beer and wine. Don't forget to take some snaps of the fireworks illuminating the night sky!

Another one of our favorite things to do for the month of July in New York is visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Standing out as two of the most popular attractions in the city, these outstanding monuments tell the profound story of how America became a nation. A total must for history buffs, Ellis Island provides a great educational experience for those of all ages - take a walking through the Immigration Museum, check out the historic hospital, or cruise around the city’s most notable landmarks - the choice is yours! And of course, a trip to Ellis Island wouldn’t be complete without checking out the Statue of Liberty. Not only a photo opportunity, this majestic statue stands as a beautiful symbol of hope and freedom.

Get Cultured

Are you looking to try out some of the city’s best culinary offerings? Well, look no further! Situated in a state park across the East River waterfront, Smorgasburg fest provides a total treat for the senses. With over 100 artisanal vendors serving up pretty much every speciality under the sun, you can feast on Korean rice hot dogs, rainbow empanadas, and souffle pancakes. Order a beer, grab a bite, and enjoy the sunset – what's not to love?

Summertime in New York can only mean one thing – music festivals! Combining the stunning backdrop of Central Park with an incredible lineup of world-famous artists and emerging talent, Summerstage festival provides the quintessential New York experience for music lovers. Previous performers have included Patti Smith, the Indigo Girls, and Galactic among others. In addition, the event produces free dance, theater, film and spoken word programs for those who are interested.

Summertime in New York brings a whole host of wonderful outdoor events. Held annually against the backdrop of Central Park, Shakespeare in the Park gives travellers the opportunity to enjoy prime theater under the beautiful night skies. Notable past performances have included Meryl Streep in The Taming of the Shrew, Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Al Pacino in The Merchant of Venice. This magical, one-of-a-kind experience should be at the top of everyone’s itinerary!

Find Fun Activities to Do

Those who are looking for a fun and unique way to explore the city might want to head over to Little Island. Floating high above the Hudson River and entirely admission free, this attractive urban landscape would make the perfect day trip for you and your loved ones. The perfect place for kicking back on a sunny July’s afternoon, this stunning green space is home to a wide variety of wildlife and provides magnificent views of the city skyline. On top of it all, the park serves as a venue for a whole host of great outdoor events and first-class musical performances. Take a lazy summertime stroll, watch your favorite side-splitting comedians in action, or catch a drag show– the choice is yours!

Though New York is well-recognized for its renowned cultural amenities and fabulous towering structures, the city’s history-rich neighborhoods really shine in the summertime. Situated at the Southern tip of Brooklyn, Coney Island provides the perfect way to catch some rays complete with a lively beach, wooden boardwalk, and dozens of attractions and rides. Whilst you’re visiting, make sure to check out the most famous hotdog stand in the world, which has been operating since 1916. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!

Want to amble through vast fields of purple and experience the natural beauty of New York State in all of its glory? Well, now you can! Known as one of the largest lavender farms in the United States, Lavender By The Bay provides the perfect relaxing retreat from the city. Here, visitors can take walking tours to admire the breathtaking sight of over 80, 000 colorful shrubs. July is the perfect time to amble through the preservation since the lavender should be in full bloom. Thoroughly Instagram-worthy and relaxing, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a summery July’s afternoon!

There’s nothing quite like New York in the summer. With so much to see, do, and explore, it’s impossible to be bored in this sprawling metropolis. Whether you’re looking to celebrate the fourth of July to its fullest, amble through some lavender gardens, or watch Shakespeare under the stars, the city presents a wide array of exciting activities for every traveller. And now, you don’t have to miss out – with our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can find an exhaustive array of things to do, for cheaper. For more information, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.

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5 of the Best Day Trips from New York

We can all appreciate how much of a draw New York City is for visitors, as well as why its residents so enthusiastically embrace living in this diverse metropolis. But sometimes, we’re in search of a different experience. Whether you’re a New Yorker looking for a weekend getaway destination, or a traveler hoping to expand the scope of your East Coast explorations, these excursions can be just the thing. Check out our top five best day trips from New York. For those destinations with estimated train times, we recommend opting for Amtrak over driving. If you have the flexibility, you can avoid paying loads for parking. Philadelphia An ever-popular city with loads of historical attractions like the Betsy Ross House and the Liberty Bell, there’s so much to draw families to Philly. They boast a number of amazing museums, too, like the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (home of the famed Rocky steps), and the Museum of the American Revolution. Philadelphia is also a major culinary destination. With new restaurants popping up in neighborhoods all over, you only have to explore areas like Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square West to find dozens of delicious places to eat. If you’re looking for something really unique, consider dining at the Moshulu – a restaurant aboard a ship! Getting there: Philadelphia is a two-hour drive or a one and a half-hour train ride from New York. Washington DC It’s on the longish end for a day trip, but it’s well worth it. Check out unique museums like the Newseum and the International Spy Museum, as well as the free Smithsonian offerings. Fortunately for day-trippers, the area near and north of the National Mall is also excellent for shopping and dining. For recommendations, here are our best places to eat in DC. DC is also a great place to take in a sporting event because most of their major stadiums are accessible via the Metro: check out Nationals Park, the Capital One Arena (home to the Washington Capitals), or Audi Field (where the red hot D.C. United soccer team plays). Getting there: Washington DC is a four and a half-hour drive or a three and a half-hour train ride from New York. Boston NYC’s neighbor to the north and cultural rival on multiple fronts, Boston is a perfect day trip city. You can really dig into one part of the city and make a full day out of a museum or three and a couple of great meals. We especially recommend the North End for Italian cuisine and Cambridge for New American favorites. Families will love the New England Aquarium, kids will adore the Museum of Science, and everyone will be inspired by the MFA. Boston is also another great sports town, with Fenway Park and the Boston Garden both representing multiple championship teams. Finally, don’t forget to just take a stroll and enjoy the iconic Boston Common and Boston Public Garden. Getting there: Boston is a four-hour train ride from New York. Long Beach Island This isn’t the closest Jersey Shore destination to New York City, but it’s probably the best one. If you’re willing to take that extra hour or so (depending on traffic) to get down to LBI, you’ll be amply rewarded. The beaches are less crowded than the ones immediately adjacent to NYC—especially the farther south on the island you go—and you can enjoy a better balance of shopping, dining, and sunbathing. Take the kids to Fantasy Island Amusement Park, Thundering Surf Water Park, and/or Settler’s Mill Adventure Golf. There’s shopping to be found in and around Bay Village, and Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta is a Jersey legend. You can also visit the Holgate Nature Conservatory to soak up the natural beauty of this island. Getting there: Long Beach Island is a two and a half-hour drive from New York. Catskill Mountains The inspiration for several prominent American artists of the nineteenth century, the Catskill Mountains are a massive protected forest preserve in southeastern New York State that will truly take your breath away with its natural beauty. Come here to kayak the Esopus Creek, bike the Catskill Scenic Trail, or hike Devil’s Path. There are also multiple mountains for skiing in the region. The Catskills are a cultural destination as well, having been home to many arts events and music festivals, including the legendary Woodstock. Now the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts offers an amphitheater, performing arts center, and museum on the former site of the 1969 festival. Getting there: The Catskill Mountains is a three-hour drive from New York. Save on the Best Day Trips from New York You can save on a few of these day-trip ideas with Go City. Save up to 55% on top tourist attractions and activities in many cities, including Boston, Philadelphia, DC, and, of course, New York City. It’s a smart way to budget for your ultimate day trip from New York. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal
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Chicago vs. New York City: Which City Should I Visit?

These two great American cities are worthy of all the tourist traffic they generate year in and year out. New York has been an iconic destination for generations. Chicago is easily one of the most global cities in the country. If you only have time to visit one, however, it can be pretty tricky to choose between them. Making the tough choice of Chicago vs. New York City? We’ve put together a brief comparison of the two cities and their top attractions and activities. See which seems more enticing. Learn how to save on admission to the best things to do in each city below. Observation Decks Both NYC and Chicago have two stellar observation decks from which to see the best sights of their respective cities. Many people choose to visit both observation decks. But it’s also easy to pick your favorite and see the aerial views from your chosen landmark. Here’s a brief comparison of the four observation decks. New York Empire State Building. Among the most iconic buildings in New York City, the Empire State Building offers an 86th-floor observation deck with panoramic views. It’s located in midtown Manhattan and boasts a refined Art Deco aesthetic. Top of the Rock. Located in the famous 30 Rock Building, Top of the Rock Observatory is famous for its unobstructed 360-degree views and convenient location in Rockefeller Plaza. Deciding between these two? Check out our Top of the Rock vs. Empire State Building breakdown. Chicago 360 CHICAGO. Housed in 875 N. Michigan—itself containing several shops and restaurants—360 CHICAGO is located on the 94th floor and provided unbeatable views of the waterfront. Many visitors also enjoy their upgradeable experience called TILT. Skydeck Chicago. Located in what used to be known as the Sears Tower, Skydeck Chicago provides stellar views from 1,353 feet up in the air on the 103rd floor. Visitors can see parts of four different states from this observation deck. Art Museums Chicago and NYC offer pretty stiff competition when it comes to museums. They both feature some of the best museums in the world. Additionally, many of the most-visited art museums are found in these two cities. Here’s a quick rundown of the biggest art museums in each city. New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Among the best art museums in the world, the Met boasts massive collections of everything from Ancient Egyptian artifacts to medieval armor to eighteenth-century portraiture. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). One of the finest and most extensive collections of modern art in the entire world, MoMA is home to many famous works of art by the biggest names in recent history—Warhol, Pollack, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and many more. Check out our recommendations for must-see things at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Chicago Art Institute of Chicago. Just as prestigious and often more frequently visited than the Met, the Art Institute’s collections also span much of human history and include everything from impressionist paintings to satirical prints. Museum of Contemporary Art. The MCA is much smaller than MoMA and focuses instead on truly contemporary works of art, including a great deal from living artists. A visit here is a good opportunity to see the art world as it is evolving today. Natural History Museums Each city boasts one impressive natural history museum. Both are renowned for their fine collections of natural objects and as well as their cutting-edge research. Here’s a brief look at what they each offer. American Museum of Natural History. One of the largest such institutions in the world, the American Museum of Natural History is well known for its collection of dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and an expansive collection of ocean life. The Field Museum. The earliest collections at the Field Museum were donated from the Columbian Exposition in 1893, but they’ve expanded far beyond that scope to include millions of artifacts, objects, and even the most famous dinosaur skeleton in the world—SUE the T. Rex. City Tours Chicago and New York City both have more to see than you can accomplish in one trip, or even two. That’s where a comprehensive tour can come in handy. These popular bus tours are the best way to see each city efficiently. Here are our picks for the top bus tours in each city. New York Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. This hop-on hop-off option from Big Bus New York offers unlimited rides for an entire day, with Uptown and Downtown loops to choose from. You can stay on for both loops to cover much of your day. Otherwise, hop-off where you’d like to explore more. The RIDE. A themed bus tour that’s part comedy act, part theatre, and part tour, The RIDE is perennially popular with visitors to NYC. They’ll cover city hotspots in 75 minutes for one hilarious experience. Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. A hop-on hop-off option from Big Bus Chicago, this loop includes 14 different stops throughout downtown Chicago. Stop at places like Museum Campus, Willis Tower, and Millennium Park. Scenic North Side Tour. An exhaustive tour, the scenic North Side Tour covers landmarks and hotspots in Chicago that aren’t typically covered by downtown tours. It’s a two-hour sightseeing tour that covers everything from Water Tower Place mall to Wrigley Field. Cruises With Chicago’s lakefront location and Manhattan being an island, both cities are popular for their multiple cruise options. Here are some of the top cruises in each city to help you decide which sound the most appealing. New York NYC Landmark Cruise. This landmark cruise is a 90-minute excursion around the waters of Manhattan, showcasing everything from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Statue of Liberty. It’s ideal for photo ops and offers informative narration alongside your views. Liberty Cruise. A 75-minute boat tour around Lower Manhattan and Ellis Island, the Liberty Cruise is a specific focus on Liberty Island and its environs. This cruise option is best for those who want a focused excursion. Chicago The Architecture River Cruise sails along the Chicago River is a 75-minute trip that encompasses time on all three branches of the river. The focus is on city landmarks that have been constructed or rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1871. Also great for photos. Lake Tour. The Lake Tour of Lake Michigan is a 45-minute cruise that showcases all of the city skylines from Navy Pier to the Hancock Tower and beyond. Informative narration will highlight everything of note, and you’ll get excellent lake view photos. Cuisine Remarkably enough, both cities are famous for their unique styles of pizza. New York-style pizza is a thinner crust but not thin and crispy like a brick oven pizza. It has lots of cheese, and a bit floppier in terms of the eating experience. You’ll find authentic slices all over the city—remember to fold it in half while eating! Chicago-style pizza is a deep-dish style, usually a few inches thick and served in a cast-iron pan. You’ll also find loads of ooey-gooey cheese and plenty of meaty toppings. There are several famous places in the city to find this delectable specialty—check out Gino’s East or Lou Malnati’s. Both cities are also known for their international populations and global influence. Therefore, you can find practically any culinary style in either city. Whether you’re looking for some ramen, sushi, or filet mignons, you’ll find all of it in Chicago or NYC. As far as cuisine goes, your point of comparison is probably going to be price. Chicago has many Michelin star restaurants with nearly astronomical prices. However, you’re still more likely to find more affordable haute cuisine in the Windy City than you are in NYC. Save on Admission Admission to most of these top New York attractions and Chicago attractions are included with Go City. You can save on admission to these and many other popular activities, tours, and cruises. These easy digital passes are a great way to see the best each city has to offer. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCityPass in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal
New York City lights
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2 days in New York City: a weekend in NYC itinerary

Spending a weekend in New York and wondering how to make the most of it? We've got you covered with our tailor-made itinerary.
Casey Makovich

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